Edge construction for furniture tops



July 29, 1952 c. R. RElTzEl. 2,605,157

EDGE CONSTRUCTION FOR FURNITURE TOPS Filed May 2s, 1947 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1 Inventor Clare/ce R. Reizel.

July 29, v1952 v c. R. RElTzEL 2,605,157

EDGE CONSTRUCTION FOR FURNITURE TOPS Filed May 2s, 1947 2 SHEETS- SHEET 2 nvelzior Patented July 29, 1952 r V2,605,155: Y

EDGE' CONSTRUCTILON Foa FURNITURE' 'VIOPS l Clarence R. Reitzel, Youngstown, Ohio, assignor town, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio to The'General Fireprooing Company, Youngs: s l .i

This invention relates to furniture tops for metal desks, tables, and the like, and has the distinctive feature `of providing a rounded or substantially bevelled edge, which has no seams or joints `at the corners. For many years the metal furniture art has sought to make'linoleum covered desk and table tops with continuous vertically rounded, instead of vertically angular, edges and corners, Heretofore, this'object has partially been attained by forming a metal top sheet with an integral arcuate apron or edge portion and placing the linoleum or like covering over the top and curved edge. However, this practice has required cutting out the 'corner portions of the linoleum sheet because'it was impossible and impractical to Work or .bend [the linoleum over the short radius of the corner without bunching or gathering. The gap resultingfrom cutting away the corners of the' linoleum sheet has heretofore been fllled by a corner piece of metal. Because of the cutting and fitting and multiple operations involved, this practice is relatively costly while at the same time it detracts from the harmony of design sought to be attained in good furniture.

Accordingly, the present invention has primarily inV view an edge 'construction for furniture tops made principally of metal, wherein a vcontinuous rounded edge is obtained, even at the corners, by providing in effect a built-up channel extending entirely around the top and adapted to receive a continuous flexible molding strip having the desirable characteristic and capacityto turn vcorners of short radii in rectangular tops 'without buckling or gathering and likewise siolaims. (o1. sill-.1079

apron rconcealed or masked byY a molding strip which is coextensive with the perimeter'of the top. Ihus, it is possible to obtain the desired full rounded edge effect at the sidesand corners in various materials, or materials `having a surface that is comparable to the usual linoleum covering will morereadily appear vas they nature of the invention is better understood, the same consists in the novel construction, arrangement, and comform arcs of greater radius, as for example in the case of round orcircular tops. Thus, the desired rounded edge effect may be attained in a practical and expeditious manner during manufacture, and, from the standpoint of neatness and ornamental appearance in the ultimate product, it eliminates corner plates and provides an edge surface which gives the same sense of touch ,as the linoleum top itself.

.y surface ofthe: furniture top, as heretofore set forth, since such surface can now be made in standard stock sizes by precision cutting methods. A further object of the invention is to provide bnation of parts hereinafter more fully described. illustrated, andv claimed.

vA preferred land practical embodiment of the invention is shown in the accompanying drawings, mewhich; I ,Y M

Figure 1 is a perspectiveview of a furniture top, partly in section,A illustrating the improved-edge construction. i l

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view jof" the top andap'ron showing how the continuous molding strip'is applied.'

Figure 3jisv a vertical cross section shownga 'modified form of'molding strip.

Figure 4 is a detail vertical section showing a modified form'of apron. f Y

Figure 5 is adetail sectional'view v`of a further modified form of apron. j

Figure 6A is. a detail bottomplan 'view of a corner apron of a metal furniture'top embodying the'p'resentinvention. vFigure 7 is a top plan view of the construction 'shown in'liig'ure6.W j 'l ,'Figre is'abottom plan view of a metal desk 6r' table top embodying the'present invention.v

Figure9 is a detail cross-sectionalview taken on the"line'9`'9lof'1 igure 8. i

' Similar reference v characters Adesignate' corresponding parts throughout'the several figures of thedrawings.l f

4 Referring to Figure 1, which shows'by wa'yjof illustration and not by way of limitation, a furniture-top such as used onametal desk or table, it will be observed that the same generally includes a top proper A, anda subjacent apron B,

whichfcooperate to provide abuilt-up continuous a furniture top including a rigid top member and subjacent edge forming means including an channel C for receiving the continuous molding strip D which conceals the apron. The top AA preferably consists cfa-metal sheet I to which adequate rigidity may beimparted by any suitable arrangement ofreini'orcing elements 2.l The apron Bconsists of front, rear, andside members as well las corner units B in a rectangular top. VAswillbe seen fromFiguresl 1 Aand. V2,said apron; members Vandu-Fnits include, cross-sectionall-y; an upperwingfB-welded or otherwise affixed to the bottom surface of 3 the plate I and medially offset as indicated at 4 to provide a, top keeper-groove 5 at the underside of plate I and which extends throughout the sides and corners of the top. Said apron elements further include a preferably oblique web 6 which formsA the base of the channel C, and a connected downwardly extending substantially vertical wall 'I which terminates in the lower integral inwardly directed wing 8. This wing is adapted to be secured by appropriateA fastenings 9 to the inwardly directed flange Illir or embrace the entire perimeter top without any joints except where it begins or ends. This `ioint mayl be made so accurately that it is hardly of a front or facing sheet E of, for example, a n

desk.

As will also be observed from Figures 1 and; 2. of the drawing, said facing sheet E includes an outer wall II which is doubled upon itself as. Y

indicated at I2 to form a rigid wall portion properly spaced from the vertical wall 'l of the.. apron to provide a continuous bjottcm keeper-groove I3.V

tion vIll of (a continuous metallic bead I5 ofy angular cross-section. V)maagd is preferably made of metal, such as aluminum, and isv provided at its underside with a. vcontinuous undercut shoulder I6, whichforms the upper.V edgeof the channel C. i;

The entire top surface of the plate I is preferably covered by .linoleum- I'Lvwhose edge, portionk liesV flushbehind'the. inner 4oblique Ashoulder I5a'of the bead I5. Thus, when thebead` I5v is fitted to the metal-top -I,the linoleumil is completely flush `with said bead to-forrn. a Vflat working or writing surface. `Another. bead! I8 of aluminum, o-rv other, material, .used toform the lower edge of; the.continuous channelC,

This bead is provided with 1-head pltionhaving an inner groove I9 and an. inwardlyfeigtendne angular shankportion hailingA ad'ependingvv flange 20 adaptedto t into thebottoni keeperf'groove pftheapron...

From the. foregoing` itiwill'new. be seen. that the channel C is formed'bythe` dsv I 5 and I8, in cooperation. with, the web; .6.. Qf the .apron elements and` completely surrounds the. sides.. and corners-.0f the. t0n.. This. channel. .is intended to receive the continuousjiiexible.molding.strip D which Vnot only. hasthe capacity cfr-becoming interlocked within the channel ,`but .also turning corners. of short` radius.. withoutl binding gathering, bunching orpuclering. l

According tov Figures 1 and 2, thegrnolding I strip D is preferably-made of an.. extludable composition similartolinoleu-m, or alternatively, it may be madeofany plasticv'ory non-,metallic material having suicient longitudinal flexibility and inherentl transversel yieldability to .nt-"into visible.

`shown in YFigure 3, a modified form of moldinglstripzD may be made of a continuous transversely'. bowed spring metal strip 2I, whose outel surface .is covered with fabric 22, or other material whichgives a soft feel when touched by thehands and arms. f

Figure 4 of the drawings illustrates a modificationrof the apron element B2 wherein the same is-,perpendicular to the top Azinstead ofoblique as in Figures 1 to 3inclusive. In the arrangement shown invFigure 4, the.. molding stripv D3 is tted between the top bead I5a and the. bottom bead lila in the samemanner as shownin Figure 3., All of the features Vof the invention. here-.- toforedescribed are carried forward in this modication except that the. webA 6b of the apron B? is at right angles. tothe. top sheet Ia.`

A furtherY modification .of the. inventionV is illustrated in Figure. wherein the top A3 is provided with an apron B3. whose. web 6c isoblique tothe top sheet Ib and.itsbottom-vertical wall Tais continuedA outwardly and upwardly as indicated at lb ,to form. thev lower .groove I 3a for receiving the. shank 25a ofthe. beady [8b. The l continuous molding strip .Dfi is.y held between the. topybead |512 and the lowenbead. Ib whichtogether with the web 6c ofy the.V apron. B? yf.`0.rn1 s,.in eiect, the channel for receiving. the VmoldingA strip.A The general. structural. features., of this Inodiflcatipn are. thesame asligures 1 to `Sgeigrgt that kthe bottom groove Ia. formed. lbvA means integral with the lower wallofjthe zweb of the apron;v j

f Eromtheforegoing .it will be. apparent, that in all forms of. the,y invention., the aprons are of greeterdepth .than the thicknesspfthe top meniber and. thatthe one-piegemoldng 4strip may be continueursiy .applied tctlieeclee .perdons .of furniture,tops:having..aiflsular` corners.. it will .eapparent .thatme-meldins. strinreadly.@enferme 'GQ cornersjof: short. radius.KH It.. will, .oft coursegd be understoodthat this/.radius may varywithdifferf ent. types of `furniture and, as.- .previouslyrindicated, thegpriinary'features .of the invention may even bgapplied. oncircular` orroval table. tops utilizing i structural features. peuliar to., the. .par-v teular peeefiurnituebeine-mede 1;..A.furnituretopeonsuuction. comprising. in combinatien. a me member including eneulily related ASides ani-Subjects#edeefforilne. means. of greater depth thanythe-thiekness of: the; top member, Said. Intra-.1S inQludneenfaPrQn'. 00.11- nected to. the undereideofthe we memberend shaped; to form therewithl a 4topl keeper-groove, -meansat thegbottem ofthe apron forming; abois tom Vlieepiar-.grcove, atop beadfineludine; e simule der andhavineasheukivr interlocking. Withaid. top keeper-groom. a .betteln 'bead hei/ine. e .Shoulder and alsohavinga .shankfferinterloekinefwith said. .bottom keeperrerOQve, and. a-,loneitudnally 2. A furniture top constructiom comprising, in combination, a top member, and subjacent edge forming means of greater depth than the thickness'of the top member, said means including an apron connected to the underside of the top member and shaped to form therewith a top keepergroove, said apron including a web, means at the bottom of the web forming a bottom keepergroove, a top bead including a shoulder and having a shank for interlocking the said top keepergroove, a bottom head having a shank for interlocking with said bottom keeper-groove, and a longitudinally flexible and transversely yieldable edge-molding strip supported on the web of the apron between the shoulders of said top and bottom beads.

3. A furniture top construction, comprising, in combination, a top member ,and subjacent edge forming means of greater depth than the thickness of the top member, said means including an apron connected to the underside of the top member, and shaped to form therewith a top keepergroove, said apron including a web disposed oblique to the plane of the top member, a wall at the lower edge of the web, means cooperating with said wall to form a bottom keeper-groove. a top bead including a shoulder and having a shank for interlocking with said top keepergroove, a bottom bead having a shoulder and also having a'shank for interlocking with said bottom keeper-groove, and a longitudinally flexible and transversely yieldable edge-molding strip supported on the web of the apron between the shoulders of said top and bottom beads.

4. A furniture top construction, comprising, in combination, a top member including angularly related sides and subjacent edge forming means, said means including aprons connected to the underside of the top member, along the sides thereof, and at the corners, said aprons being carried by the top and shaped to form therewith a top keeper-groove, said apron including a web,

of the top bead and the shoulder of the upper bead and said inner shoulder of the bottom bead and overlying the web of said apron member.

6. A furniture top construction, including, in combination, a top member, and subjacent edge forming means of greater thickness than the top member, said means including an apron including a top wing secured to the underside of the top member and also having an intermediate offset portion adapted to cooperate with the underside of the top member to provide a top keepergroove, said apron also including a web disposed obliquely to the plane of the top member, and a channel integral with the lower edge of said web and forming a bottom keeper-groove, a top bead, including a shoulder and a shank for interlocking with the top keeper-groove, a bottom bead including a shoulder and having a shank for interlocking with said bottom keeper-groove, and

means at the bottom of the web forming a botu tom keeper-groove, a top bead including a shoulder and having a shank for interlocking with said top keeper-groove, a bottom bead having a shoulder and also having a shank for interlocking with said bottom keeper-groove, and a longitudinally flexible and transversely yieldable edge-molding strip supported on the web of the apron between the shoulders of said beads, said strip providing an unbroken smooth surface about the sides and related corner of the top member.

5. A furniture top construction, comprising, in combination, a top member including a rigid sheet and a covering of non-metallic material, and subjacent edge forming means, said means including an apron, said apron being of angular cross-section, and including upper and lower wings extending to the same side of a connecting web, the upper wing being connected to the underside of the said top member, and offset medially thereof to cooperate with the underside of the rigid sheet to form a top keeper-groove, means at the lower end of the web to provide a bottom keeper-groove, a top bead including an inner undercut shoulder and an outer opposite shoulder, said bead having a shank fitting into the top keeper-groove, and said outer shoulder abutting said edge of the top member and the covering therefor, a lower bead having an inner shoulder and a shank portion for fitting into said bottom keeper-groove, and an edge-molding strip of longitudinally exible and transversely yieldable material interlocked between the undercut shoulder a longitudinally flexible and transversely yieldable edge-molding strip mounted over said web member and between the shoulders of said beads.

7. An article of furniture comprising a top including a top member and an apron depending therefrom along the edge thereof, said top member and the top portion of said apron being vspaced apart to provide an outwardly opening channel, means cooperating with the bottom portion of said apron to provide an upwardly opening channel, top and bottom strips having shank portions disposed in said channels, respectively, lips lextending from said strips and providing in conjunction with said apron an outwardly opening channel having a mouth of less width than the channel proper, and an edge-finishing molding strip for said top having upper and lower edge portions thereof confined in said last-mentioned channel behind said lips.

8. An article of furniture comprising a top having extending along the edge thereof an upper outwardly opening channel and a lower upwardly opening channel, an edge finishing molding strip for said top extending along the edge thereof, and means for securing said molding strip to said top comprising upper and lower fastening strips having shank portions engaged in said channels, respectively, and lip portions engaged with upper and lower edge portions, respectively, of said molding strip.

CLARENCE R. REITZEL.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

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